Judgement Day for Nigeria
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Nigeria Police say security has been beefed up across the country as it prepares for the inauguration of a new “president”
Protesters begin converging on Abuja for Supreme Court ruling on “Double Nomination”
The Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police (IGP)Â Usman Baba, on Thursday, announced that security has been tightened across the country, in preparation for the Presidential inauguration ceremony slated for May 29 at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The announcement comes as thousands of protesters began converging on Abuja the nation’s capital to protest the illegal inauguration ceremony.
The Supreme Court earlier on Monday fixed May 26 to deliver judgment in a suit seeking the disqualification of Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The judgment will be delivered three days before the inauguration of the president-elect and the vice-president-elect.
The PDP, in the suit filed on July 28, 2022, claimed that Shettima’s nomination as Tinubu’s running mate was in breach of the provisions of sections 29(1), 33, 35, and 84(1)(2) of the electoral act, 2022.
The party argued that Shettima’s nomination to contest the position of vice-president and Borno central senatorial seat — at the same time — contravened the law.
The PDP, which sought an order disqualifying the APC, Tinubu, and Shettima from contesting the presidential election, also sought an order nullifying their candidacies.
However, Inyang Ekwo, the trial judge at the court of appeal, dismissed the suit on the grounds that the PDP lacked the locus standi to institute the suit.
Not satisfied, the PDP appealed the judgment.
In preparation for possible breakdown of law and order, security personnel have been detailed to protect the Presidential Villa, provide security at and around the Eagle Square, to man all the Nigerian borders, seaports, and airports, while others will equally be deployed to man the entry and exit points of the Federal Capital Territory, and other critical government installations.
Personnel mobilised for the operation are drawn from the Nigeria Police Force Special Forces, the Police Mobile Force, the Counter Terrorism Unit, the Special Protection Unit, the Anti-Bomb Squad, the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Intelligence Response Team, the Special Tactical Squad, NPF Medical, NPF Mounted Troops, and K9, among others.
The IGP, while warning non-state actors, aggrieved groups or individuals to follow due process and the rule of law in seeking redress in their cases, vowed that law enforcement agencies will not hesitate to subdue any confrontation or act of insecurity.
Meanwhile, in a follow-up statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi notes that inauguration ceremonies at all state levels have also been catered for, adding that the IG has directed Command Commissioners of Police and other security agencies to carry out heavy deployments to fortify venues of the inauguration ceremonies in their various states.
Akowe with reports from Abuja
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